It’s April, and that brings to mind spring rain showers. So when the Northern Virginia weather calls for an inch of rain, we probably just shrug it off. However, when that inch of rain falls on an average-size roof, it can mean up to 1,900 gallons of water racing off the eaves and into the gutters.
Gutters come in a wide variety of materials, shapes and colors. Vinyl, aluminum and coated steel are the most cost-effective ranging from $1 to $8 per linear foot. High-end gutters, such as those made of copper and zinc, go for $9 to $18 per foot, and that doesn’t include installation. Good quality gutters will last from several years to the life of your home, but only if they’re well maintained and installed properly. All gutters need periodic cleaning, but if you have any trees that tower over them, they’ll need more frequent attention. Pine needles can be especially troublesome.
The good news is that you can add on debris stoppers to the top of your gutters that will drastically cut down on the amount of solid material that gets in. The hood-like piece sits on brackets on top of the gutter and has a rounded edge near the outside. Water can still drip into the gutter and drain away, but most debris will just slide off and onto the ground. No addition will keep out everything, but if you have a lot of trees near your home, these will certainly cut down on the number of times you need to climb the ladder.
Beyond regular maintenance such as cleaning, sometimes you’ll need to plan for repairs or even replacement of your gutters. If your home is taller than one story, you’ll probably want to hire a professional to install or repair your gutters. Straight sections, especially those made of vinyl or aluminum on the first floor roof are probably good candidates for DIY’ers, and they’re readily available from home centers or online. More complicated installations should probably go to a pro, and if you have seamless gutters, they’ll have to be custom-made on site.
Here at JC Advantage, we’re ready to help you with any real estate questions you may have from current mortgage interest rates to neighborhood profiles to home maintenance concerns. Give us a call at 703-442-0007 or stop by the office at 8245 Boone Blvd., Suite 410 in Vienna. If you prefer to contact me directly, send me an email at conor@jcadvantage.com. I look forward to hearing from you.
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